MARC GARMAN - EDITOR

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Syndicate

Login

PDF Print
 

TWO NEW BUSINESSES HIT HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

 

DISTRICT ON MARIN STREET

 

(Something to do TONIGHT in Vallejo! -- It's a Speakeasy!)



7/7/12

By Paula McConnell

 

Over the last few months two new businesses have come into downtown Vallejo right across the street from the Vallejo Naval Historical Museum. The building which formerly housed the ever-so-popular “Book Lovers Haven” at 725 Marin St. now houses a new ‘over forty’ club called ‘Conversations.’ Owner Patricia Irvin has created this ‘Over Forty Club’ designated for the more mature crowd. She does not encourage the younger ‘baggy pants’ segment to apply.

 

Conversations is a private club which encourages a seasoned audience to come in and enjoy music by day. By night, Irvin invites bay area musicians in to play Jazz, Blues, and other music. Musicians typically come around to “jam,” “compose” or just feel the music. Irvin’s concept is strictly that of an exclusive club atmosphere; she requests a modest fee to join. When professional bands perform, however, the general public is invited and there will be a modest cover charge. Interestingly enough, there are no signs indicating what occurs on the property, and there are heavy curtains covering the windows. Furthermore, many of the surrounding neighbors do not yet know of the Conversations club’s existence.

 

Well known Vallejo musician, and political figure, Darrell Edwards will play this evening featuring his ‘Heavy Weather Band’ which plays Jazz, Blues, Rock n’ Roll and Inspirational music. As many Vallejoans will remember, Edwards ran for Vallejo City Council twice in past years. “This is like a little ‘Speakeasy’ place,” Edwards said. “It is private. There are no signs, and the general public is only invited when there is a paid gig, otherwise, I think you must join as a member, but I am not totally sure how it works,” he said. “Patricia Irvin has been operating this club since November or December of last year, and as far as I know, I am one of the only performers who has been able to invite the non-club member public,” Darrell boasted. The cover for tonight’s gig will be $8.00 at the door, and the action will start at 9:00p.m. When asked how he discovered the new club, Edwards said: “I was on a daily walk one day last November. I saw these people moving this equipment in along with some furniture. So I inquired. I soon officially joined the club, and look forward to playing my music there often,” Edwards said. As some may also remember, Darrell Edwards was a frequent, popular crowd pleaser at the now defunct Havannah Sol restaurant on downtown’s Virginia Street. He recently came in second in his category at a renown bay area talent contest.


Right next door to Conversations at 727 Marin is a new shop called HR Variety Shop which sells Hunid racks products, white t-shirts, beanie caps, zig-zags, jewelry, incense, black soap, hats, NFL,NBA MLB sportswear, college accessories, male enhancement items, virgin Indian hair, school movies, FEDS magazines, socks, sun glasses, etc. The owner of this shop calls himself ‘Showtime,’ and one of his clerks, Jason Williams, from San Pablo tells us that he would like to “make it in the music business.” ‘Showtime’ is in the process of building his inventory and will eventually have the capacity to make any t-shirt someone might desire. “You will be able to bring in your photo, or what you want the shirt to say,” said Williams. “I am a graphic artist, and I have the capability of creating a shirt to anyone’s specifications,” Jason continued. “Please tell people to stop in, if they don’t see what they want, we can probably get it for them,” he said. Showtime’s shop hours are from 10a.m. to 6p.m.

Comments
Add New Search RSS
GW   |July.10.2012
Do not know what the uproar is about a business that "caters" to a more mature crowd.
I would not frequent a place with music/entertainment/food I do not enjoy, may it be a setting for teens or seniors. I am certain that if a 30 something group would show up and enjoy the style and atmosphere of the "club", nobody would show them the door. It is a business and if they want to have any type of shelf life, they will not discriminate against anyone younger than 40.

Good luck, Conversations!
Anonymous   |July.09.2012
edwards is retired from PG&E.
momster   |July.09.2012
I Remember Darryl Edwards when I was a student at Solano Junior High. I believe it was him; however, I could be wrong. It's good he is still around.
anon   |July.09.2012
Still will go to the Rellik Tavern in Benicia. Safer, nicer, and not so "private," and has younger than 40, over than 40, sans the baggy droppy pants.
Anonymous   |July.09.2012
A third type: they don't want to try but they also hate to see other people try because other people may succeed.
Anonymous   |July.08.2012
Sometime people succeeded because they did not know others said it was impossible.

Other people wait for the perfect condition to set sail.
Mousy   |July.08.2012
If the 30-40 crowd is so busy, why specifically exclude them? Don't underestimate the power of date night. Having to drive out of town on top of everything else is a pain.
Intelligent discourse   |July.08.2012
They'll both be gone in 8 months. March 2013 .... Pfffftt
Low Income Data First   |July.08.2012
It is not good to pit one neighborhood against another neighborhood. We all see the devastating impact to our downtown we sure do not want to see it in other part of city.

We should not have more than, say 15% of all housing for low income, very low income and extremely low income in any neighborhood so the characteristics of a neighborhood can be maintained.

Vallejo as a city has to have the low income, very low income and extremely low income data available before adding any more in the city.
know vallejo   |July.08.2012
virgin (east) indian hair is used for extensions.
wharf rat   |July.08.2012
Dat burn whippersnappers gettin all riled
bout dat over 40 thing i say keep all that young riff raff out doggone pant dragers especialy
Swing baby   |July.08.2012
It's on a premise swingers club
Focused Business   |July.08.2012
When you try to please everyone sometime you please no one.

For 30-40 crowd, if they are married, they are busy reading bedtime stories in the evening. If they are not married, they may have a different focus than over 40 crowd.

More focused approach will have better chance of success.
Incubator for downtown   |July.08.2012
Great concept for Conversation Lounge. Private club. Over 40. and fully utilize the space.."Conversations Lounge is host to a unique Seniors Lounge during the day. Seniors in the community come to Conversations to listen and play live music. They participate in the Jam Sessions, play board games, watch television, socialize, etc. "

We need to make it easier to try out new concept in downtown. Have a restaurant/business incubator setup with flexible lease and shared common service so more people can try out their ideas.
Mousy   |July.08.2012
Nothing to make you feel more welcome than being discriminated against. As an under 40 who isn't the falling down pants type but the educated professional type I don't appreciate being marginalized simply because of my age. You should be catering to a certain demographic, not specifically excluding the ones you don't like.

Sorry, but I'll never patronize this establishment. Even when I reach your age limit.
Virgin Indian Hair?   |July.08.2012
What does one do with "virgin Indian hair? Sorry, I feel old just asking the questions...
Write comment
Name:
 
:angry::0:confused::cheer:B):evil::silly::dry::lol::kiss::D:pinch:
:(:shock::X:side::):P:unsure::woohoo::huh::whistle:;):s
 
Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

3.23 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."